Petefis co



No. 610,439. A Patented sept. s, 189s..

C. FASOLT.

Wilnesses. Inventor.

Attorneys.

UNITED STATES CHARLES FASOLDT, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,439, dated September 6, 1898.

Application tiled March I9, 1898. ySerial No. 674,480. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it 71mg/ concern: Y

Be it known that I, CHARLES FAsoLDT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Office-Desks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in roll-top desks, and its objects are, first, to utilize the roll-top of the desk'to lock and unlock an upper file-case or desk, and, second', to provide an automatically-locked file-case with which the file-cases may be removed-in sections.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure l is a perspective of the upper portion of a desk embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same; and Fig. 3 is an end view of the slats of the roll-top upon their way, showing the manner of actuating the locking device for the {ile-case.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the top or file-case portion of my desk, which I have cut away at A to show the action of the roll-top B upon the ways G and upon the automatic lock F. The rolltop B is constructed and works eXactly similar to the ordinary roll-top, except that it runs below the file-cases instead of inclosing them, as is usual in this class of desks. The back slat B of this top is made thicker than the others for a double purpose-first, of raising the automatic lock F and holding it to y position to prevent the removal of the cases D, and, second, to form an ornamental cornice between the other slats of the roll-top and the front of the automatic lock.

E is the shelf upon which the file-cases D are supported. I divide this shelf and forni the automatic lock by pivoting a piece F upon the front edge, as at f, so that it may be raised and lowered, as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. l and 3. This piece is provided with a lip f', which projects up from its front edge, so that it laps some distance upon the cases when it is in normal position, as shown by the solid lines, when it forms a portion of the shelf. \Vhen in this position, the cases D, which iill the full length of the opening in the upper desk, cannot be remove'd, but when vd ropped down to the position indicated by the dotted lines the lip f is carried below the surface of the shelf and the cases may be readily drawn out, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l.

I prefer that small antifriction-rollers, as

F', be placed at the ends of the adjustable portion F of the shelf or automatic lock in position to travel upon the plane surface vb of the slats of the roll-top, as it serves, first, to avert the danger of marring the slats by their coming in direct contact with the surface of Vthe lock, and, second, it renders the action of the moving slats under the lock smooth and easy.

D2 represents pigeonholes, which may be placed above the file-cases, if desired. Fig. 2 shows these pigeonholes covered.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a door D at each side of the file-cases, which doors inclose cupboards for general use in the desk and are locked by the automatic lock Fl the same as theiile-cases.

W'hen usingthe antifriction-rollers on the automatic lock, they should be so adjusted upon the plane surface b of the slats that they vwill hold the lower surface of the lock just clear of the finished surface of the slats, thus avertin-g the danger of marring the varnish.

From 'the above description and upon reference to the drawings it will be readily seen that to raise or throw the roll-top slats B back to the position of the dotted lines (shown in Figs. 1 and 3) will carry the thick slat B from under the lock F and allow it to drop down, so that the ile-cases will slide freely over them and may be removed and replaced at pleasure, while to bring the roll-top for ward to close the desk will carry the thick slat directly under the lock and raise it up, so that the file-cases cannot be removed.

O represents a portion of the lower part of the desk.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the Unitedv States, is-

l. In combination, a roll-top deskhaving a roll-top removable file-cases above the rolltop, a divided shelf for the support of said cases, the front portion of said shelf pivoted ICO to the back portion and having an upwardly- 4projecting lip at the front edge, to engage the lower ends of the file-cases, and the roll-top of the desk arranged to raise and lower said front edge to look said cases in place, or to unlook them, substantially as and for the pun' pose set forth.

2. In combination, a ro1ltop desk having a roll-top removable file-cases above the rolltop, a divided shelf for supporting said eases,

the front portion of said shelf pivoted to the back portion and provided with an upwardlyprojeeting lip to engage said eases, antifr'iotion-rollers on said pivoted portion, plane Ways on the ends of the slats of the roll-top I5 for the travel of said roller with the pivoted portion dropped down so that the eases may be removed and replaced, and an upward 

